We’ve all been there before – you’re in the middle of using an appliance and suddenly, your lights start flickering. It’s annoying and can even be a little bit scary. But why does it happen? Is it something to do with the appliance itself, or is something wrong with your electrical system? Let’s take a look at some potential causes.
Check if the flickering is happening with just one light or multiple lights
If you’re facing flickering lights in your home, it’s important to check if the issue is limited to one light or multiple lights. This can give you a better insight into what is causing the flickering and help you determine how to diagnose and repair it. It could be a sign of an electrical wiring problem, an indicator that the lights need replacing, or an indication of improper voltage. By narrowing down whether it’s one light or many, you can eliminate potential causes until the true source of the problem is found.
If it’s just one light, check if the bulb is loose in the socket
When your light isn’t working, the first thing you should do is check if it’s just one bulb. If so, unscrew it and check if it’s loose in the socket. You may need to reinsert the bulb or even replace it with a new one before trying to turn back on the light. Be careful, make sure to disconnect all power sources before attempting to pull out anything. That way, you can ensure that you are safe and protect your home.
If the flickering is happening with multiple lights, it could be an issue with your home’s electrical wiring
If you have noticed the lights in your home flickering, it is time to look closer. Flickering lights can indicate a problem with your home’s electrical wiring, and the longer it goes unchecked the greater the risk of an electrical fire or another damaging incident.
To ensure your safety and well-being, have an electrician perform an electrical inspection to check for loose wires with your existing light installation. When our licensed electricians see this sort of situation occur, more times than not, it is associated with a loose neutral wire in the electrical system.
If there appears to be no wiring issue, your electrician can more thoroughly investigate the situation. A licensed electrician will have experience troubleshooting causes for flickering lights, from outdated wiring to power spikes throughout your home. Taking the time to discover why your lights are flickering will save you money and potentially prevent a life-threatening emergency.
If this is a new problem and wasn’t happening before, there could be a loose connection somewhere that is not allowing enough current to power both items. The loose connection could originate from the circuit breaker, somewhere in your switchboard or meter box, a wire nut done poorly, or an outlet screw. You should check and tighten both hot and neutral connections.
Check to see if there are any loose wires in your breaker box or outlets
Regularly looking at your breaker box or outlets for any loose wires is an integral part of home safety. Loose wires can create a fire hazard, resulting in severe damage to your home and possibly injuries to you and your family. It doesn’t take much time to check for potential risks, so it’s worth it to give your wiring a quick inspection every few months.
Make sure all the connections are secure, no exposed wires are present and keep an eye out for any signs of overheating. Taking these precautions could help you avoid major problems in the future.
Why do lights dim when I plug something in?
When you plug something into an outlet, it can cause the lights in your home to dim. This is because when you draw more power from your electrical system, the amount of energy distributed to each light doesn’t remain consistent. The added demand for electricity causes a decrease in voltage and results in fewer lumens being produced by each light. This is why you may notice a dimming effect when something is plugged in.
To prevent this from happening, you should ensure not to overload your electrical system. Check the wattage rating of each appliance or light, and don’t exceed the maximum recommended wattage for your home’s electrical system. Also, be sure to invest in quality surge protectors to avoid any sudden power spikes that could cause your lights to dim.
Should I worry if my lights flicker?
Yes, flickering lights can indicate an underlying issue with your electrical wiring. Wires that are loose or worn can cause a decrease in voltage resulting in flicker. This is why it is important to investigate the cause of the flickering right away and have any necessary repairs made as soon as possible. Flickering lights can also indicate an overloaded circuit or a power spike, which can easily cause an electrical fire if not addressed. To ensure your safety and the safety of your home, contact a qualified electrician as soon as you notice any flickering in your lights.
Why do my lights dim when I use a hair dryer?
The lights and the hair dryer plug are on the same circuit. When you use the hair dryer, it pulls a high amount of amperage which then dims/flickers your lights.
Use a plug on a different circuit so the lights aren’t affected. However, getting an electrician to run a new wire for your plug can be the best long-term solution.
A short-term solution is just running an extension cord from another plug outside your bathroom.
